See our latest update: TechSpot PC Buying Guide
The TechSpot PC Buying Guide offers a comprehensive analysis of today's best desktop PC hardware spanning five well differentiated budgets. Starting at ~$400 for an affordable PC capable of medium workloads, followed by two well-balanced enthusiast-oriented machines, a premium high-end build, and finally a dream machine that disregards price-to-performance value altogether with a focus on the biggest and baddest hardware available, period.
Whether you're a first time builder seeking guidance or a seasoned enthusiast, we have you covered.
The Budget Box $400
Granted, if you just need to create a few documents and check your email, you can get by on much less than a $500 desktop. However, our budget build gets you a system acceptable for any role apart from running graphically intense applications – which could also be attainable by investing in a dedicated video card.
The Entry-Level Rig $700
Our Entry-Level Rig is an excellent companion for running general applications and a sufficient solution for even the newest games on the market, albeit with some of the eye-candy dialed down.
The Enthusiast's PC $1200
Our Enthusiast's PC incorporates a blend of both the Entry-Level Rig and Luxury System, making this the most balanced of builds. Our intent is to keep this system within the grasp of the average computer enthusiast, offering a fully-loaded PC minus some of the unnecessary bells and whistles that could set you back an additional grand or two.
The Luxury System $2000+
The Luxury System is a screaming-edge machine with no hard price cap. Every component is thoughtfully scrutinized, offering the most horsepower for your greenback. If a component's premium price isn't justified, it won't make the cut.
The Extreme Machine $5000+
The Extreme Machine isn't governed by a budget. We pick the best hardware and disregard the associated price premium. If it's 'extreme' enough then you'll find it in this build.